Loving God, Thy healing mercies fail not; bless and protect this dear reader from sickness and illness today; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Dear friends, my apologies for no ConCafe yesterday, but I was under the weather and away from my computer, office, and even a couple of my charge conferences. I am up and around and will be working today and going to my charge conference tonight. I ask for your prayers for continued health. Blessings!
Our text for today comes from Exodus 33: 12 Moses said to God, "Look, you tell me, 'Lead this people,' but you don't let me know whom you're going to send with me. You tell me, 'I know you well and you are special to me.' 13 If I am so special to you, let me in on your plans. That way, I will continue being special to you. Don't forget, this is your people, your responsibility." 14 God said, "My presence will go with you. I'll see the journey to the end." 15 Moses said, "If your presence doesn't take the lead here, call this trip off right now. 16 How else will it be known that you're with me in this, with me and your people? Are you traveling with us or not? How else will we know that we're special, I and your people, among all other people on this planet Earth?" 17 God said to Moses: "All right. Just as you say; this also I will do, for I know you well and you are special to me. I know you by name." 18 Moses said, "Please. Let me see your Glory." 19 God said, "I will make my Goodness pass right in front of you; I'll call out the name, God, right before you. I'll treat well whomever I want to treat well and I'll be kind to whomever I want to be kind." 20 God continued, "But you may not see my face. No one can see me and live." 21 God said, "Look, here is a place right beside me. Put yourself on this rock. 22 When my Glory passes by, I'll put you in the cleft of the rock and cover you with my hand until I've passed by. 23 Then I'll take my hand away and you'll see my back. But you won't see my face." (The Message)
"Take thou authority!" Words or something similar to that was taught and then used at my ordination and the ordination of others. Earlier, at my baptism and yours, as water was sprinkled, poured or immersed, we were baptized in the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We were all at some point given the promise that God is with us. Yet, you and I sometimes feel alone or abandoned and we shouldn't. Moses felt that way. And there was that special moment in the Garden when Jesus asked for the "cup" to pass from Him. So, it happens even to the best of people. God's response? I am with you! Even God's Son's name was "Emmanuel," which means, "God with us." The promise is too precious for God to break and for us to doubt.
What "garden" or "desert" are you walking through today? What reassurance can God possibly give you that you are not alone? Look again at the words in verse 18: "I know you well and you are special to me. I know you by name."
PRAYER: Loving God of Glory and Presence, be with me today in all things. I look towards You for Your comfort and help in all that I may or am facing. Let me reassure others of that same presence; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
